Paddock-Radar from the Prototype Cup Germany at the DEKRA Lausitzring

The third race weekend of the Prototype Cup Germany saw a lot of action on and off the track. These are some exciting stories from the performance at the DERKA Lausitzring.

 

Images Creventic

 

Lots of top-class motorsport

The Prototype Cup Germany raced in the supporting programme of the ADAC GT Masters for the first time this year. The GT3 race cars of the German GT Championship put on a super show and two extremely exciting races on the 3.478-kilometre track. The ADAC Formula 4, the ADAC TCR Germany and the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany also stopped off at the Lausitzring.

A lot going on

The motto of the race weekend in Lausitz was: Family & Friends Festival. In front of a record crowd of 21,500 weekend spectators, there were not only motorsport but also various themed worlds from the host DEKRA and the ADAC with technical presentations as well as an entertainment programme for the whole family. On Saturday evening, the well-known DJ duo "Gestört aber Geil" got the party started on a stage behind the main grandstand.

Premieres for two brands

The field in the Prototype Cup Germany is colourfully mixed with cars from three manufacturers. There were two premieres during the two rounds. Axcil Jefferies (28/ZWE, Konrad Motorsport) scored the first pole position for a Ginetta G61-LT-P3 in the German championship. Matthias Lüthen (41/Hamburg) and Donar Munding (20/Stuttgart, both Mühlner Motorsport) ensured the first Duqueine D08 win of the season. 

Double Turkish triumph

Saturday's race was won by Berkay Besler (23/TUR) and Marvin Dienst (25/Lampertheim, both Toksport WRT) in the Ligier JS P320. A good two and a half hours earlier, Besler's compatriot Ayhancan Güven triumphed in the ADAC GT Masters. Never before have two Turkish drivers won two international car races so close together. "I have known Ayhancan for many, many years. We raced kart together," Besler told us. "I was very happy about his victory in the ADAC GT Masters."

In the rain for the first time

For many drivers of the Prototype Cup Germany, Saturday at the Lausitzring was under special omens, as it was the first time they were driving the LMP3 cars in wet track conditions. The challenging task was solved with aplomb, as there were no major accidents or damage. "Driving a prototype in the rain is a lot of fun," described Ginetta driver Jacob Erlbacher (21/Böblingen, Gebhardt Motorsport) on behalf of the field of drivers. "It's all about getting the braking points right. The LMP3s don't have ABS, so you can quickly end up with a stationary wheel. Finding the right corner speeds is also an important task in the rain."

Interested guest

Laurents Hörr also ran through the Prototype Cup Germany paddock at the Lausitzring. The 24-year-old German has already won LMP3 titles in the Michelin Le Mans Cup and the European Le Mans Series. In the summer, he competed in LMP2 at the 24h Le Mans. "I am here as a coach for the drivers of Koiranen Kemppi Motorsport," clarified Hörr. "I am very happy that there is now a prototype series in Germany. There are even plans for me to make a guest start with DKR Motorsport at the finale at the Hockenheimring. However, this has not yet been confirmed." At the Lausitzring, the LMP3 star was given an additional task. Together with Patrick Simon, he commented on the two races of the Prototype Cup Germany.

Double Dienst

Marvin Dienst (25/Lampertheim) had the most track time at the Lausitzring. In addition to the Toksport WRT Ligier, he also competed in the ADAC GT Masters in a Mercedes-AMG. "The vehicle concepts are very different," Dienst clarified. "However, I have shown that I can be fast in both models." A look at the results proves him right. In the Prototype Cup Germany, Dienst took one victory and third place. In the ADAC GT Masters, it was eighth place in Sunday's race.

First time at the start in Europe

Danny Soufi (19) sat in the second Konrad Motorsport Ginetta at the Lausitzring. The US American previously only raced at full throttle in North America and competed in drifting or in the Mazda MX-5, with which he won many championships. His big career goal is the 24 Hours of Le Mans. To fulfil this dream, he moved near Munich a few months ago. "Franz Konrad recently offered me the opportunity of a test. This one went really fantastically. But the difference from the Mazda to the LMP3 is huge," Soufi explained. The first race in Europe now followed at the Lausitzring. "The Prototype Cup Germany is a great series. The level is very high and the environment is impressive," Soufi continued. The youngster proved his ability right away on the first race weekend. After starting fourth on the grid, he was in third position for a long time in Sunday's race.

Fast Gentleman

The victories in the Trophy classification of the Prototype Cup Germany at the Lausitzring went to the Duqueine drivers Torsten Kratz (51/Mönchengladbach, WTM Racing) and Matthias Lüthen (41/Hamburg, Mühlner Motorsport). "For me, the Trophy classification is very important," said Lüthen, who also celebrated overall victory in Sunday's race. "I went home with two trophies, each with a one on it. I haven't had a better race weekend yet. At the Hockenheimring, I want to take the Trophy title."

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